Jimmy Farris is suiting up for what may be the toughest competition of his life—a run for Congress. Facing incumbent Republican Rep. Raul Labrador, Farris, a Super Bowl-winning NFL veteran, understands the formidable task before him.

The New York Times' 2012 FiveThirtyEight blog presidential forecast gives a slight advantage to President Barack Obama over presumptive Republican nominee Mitt Romney. And while it is unlikely that Idaho, a consistently red state with few electoral votes, will be a key player in November's general election, some of the Gem State’s closest neighbors may become deal-makers or -breakers.